set afire
Put to flame
To set afire is to ignite something, to cause it to burn: Rioters set the building afire.
Figuratively, it means to excite or inspire intensely: Her speech set the crowd afire.
The phrase is slightly more literary than the equivalent *set on fire*.
Start a blaze
- sparkTiny fiery particle
- torchHandheld burning light source
- lightVisible electromagnetic radiation
- igniteStart burning something
enkindle · flame · combust · match · lighter · tinder · fuel · flammable
Intensify emotion or irritation
- kindleStart a blaze
- sparkTiny fiery particle
- ardorIntense emotional warmth
- fervorIntense emotional intensity
desire · longing · yearning · lust · infatuation · burning · intensity · stir
Devastating, uncontrollable blaze
- conflagrationLarge destructive blaze
- blazeIntense burning fire
- engulfCompletely surround and cover
- razeDestroy completely
devastation · incineration · ashes · rubble · ruins · charred · gutted · consume
Causing or designed for burning
- arsonistOne who illegally ignites
- accelerantCombustion-intensifying substance
- pyromaniaCompulsion to start fires
- firebugDeliberate flame-setter
firetrap · torching · criminal · deliberate · insurance fraud · investigation · suspected · malicious
kindle
Start a blaze
ignite · enkindle · flame · combust · match · lighter · tinder · fuel · flammable · combustible
inflame
Intensify emotion or irritation
fervor · desire · longing · yearning · lust · infatuation · burning · intensity · stir · awaken
inferno
Devastating, uncontrollable blaze
- conflagrationLarge destructive blaze
- blazeIntense burning fire
- engulfCompletely surround and cover
raze · devastation · incineration · ashes · rubble · ruins · charred · gutted · consume · ravage
incendiary
Causing or designed for burning
- arsonistOne who illegally ignites
- accelerantCombustion-intensifying substance
- pyromaniaCompulsion to start fires
firebug · firetrap · torching · criminal · deliberate · insurance fraud · investigation · suspected · malicious · evidence